Iron supporting linkage



June 7, 1960 E. E. FOSTER IRON SUPPORTING LINKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1957 INVENTORI gdmffiflw ATTORNEYS.

June 7, 1960 E. E. FOSTER IRON SUPPORTING LINKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 1957 INV'NTOR' Patented June 7, 1960 IRON SUPPORTING LINKAGE Edwin E. Foster, Austin, Tex., assignor to Majik-Ironers, Inc, Austin, Tex., a corporation of Texas Fiietl May 6, 1957, Set. No. 657,093

17 Claims. (Cl. 38-30) This invention relates to an iron supporting linkage and more particularly to a linkage for supporting a hand iron for parallel-movement above an ironing surface and for movement downward onto material on such surface to be ironed. There have heretofore been proposed iron supporting linkages supporting a hand iron for movement in a horizontal plane and which allow the iron to be moved down into contact with material on an ironing board or other ironing surface. Linkages of this type are disclosed, for example, in various patents heretofore granted to me, including Nos. 2,345,251, 2,644,255, 2,648,146 and 2,680,311.

The present invention relates to a linkage of this general type and has for one of its objects the provision of a linkage which is bodily shiftable to raise and lower the iron and which is easy to control and use.

Another object is to provide an iron supporting linkage in which the linkage carrying the iron is mounted on a support which is shiftable vertically and which is held in its lowered ironing position by latch means so that the full weight of the iron and possibly aportion of the weight of the linkage is efiective during ironing.

Still another object is to provide an iron supporting linkage in which the latch means is released by a solenoid controlled by a switch on the iron to release the support so that it can be raised by a spring to elevate the iron.

According to a feature of the invention, the latch means is in the form of a cam surface turned by the support as it is raised and lowered and a follower urged into engagement with the cam surface by a spring, the solenoid being connected to the follower to move it away from the cam surface.

Still another object is to provide an iron supporting linkage in which a second latch is provided to hold the follower out of engagement with the cam surface. Ac-

cording to a feature of the invention, a second control switch for the solenoid is opened by the second latch when it engages so that the solenoid is energized only momentarily to reduce the power consumption and eliminate hum.

A further object is to provide iron supporting linkage in which the second latch is disengaged as the support nears its upper position and means are provided operated by raising of the support to maintain the second switch open as long as the support is raised.

According to a feature of this construction, the second latch is urged to its engaged position by one spring and urged toward disengaged position by a second spring which is tensioned by downward movement of the support and the cam surface of the first latch means includes an extension to move the follower away from the second latch as the support nears its second position thereby allowing the first spring to disengage the second latch.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following :description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing iron supporting linkage embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial enlarged section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation looking from the right of Figure 2 with the casing broken away and in section showing the support in raised position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the support in lowered position;

Figure 5 is a partial view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in the position they will occupy immediately after energizing of the solenoid; and

Figure 6 is a diagram of the control circuit.

The linkage of the present invention is adapted to support any conventional type of hand iron, as illustrated generally at 10, such as either a dry iron or a steam iron. For supporting the iron on the linkage, a bracket 12 is attached to the iron and terminates at its upper end in a ball type joint fitting for connection to the linkage, as described hereinafter. The bracket may include a housing part 13 extending over the rear part of the iron handle and within which an electric switch 14 is mounted. The switch 14 is normally closed and is opened when pressure is applied to a lever 15 extending over the handle of the iron. Thus, whenever the iron is grasped by an operator and is in use, the lever 15 will be depressed to open the switch 14 and when the iron is released the lever 15 will move upward and the switch 14 will close.

The iron is adapted to be supported on a linkage of the type more particularly described and claimed in my Patent'No. 2,648,146. This linkage as illustrated comprises a first arm 16 adapted to be pivotally mounted at one end on a support and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a second arm 17. The iron supporting bracket 12 is connected through an angularly movable joint, as a ball joint, to the free end of the arm 17. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the lower end of the arm 16 is pivoted at 18 on a horizontal axis on a vertically movable support 19 carried within a sheet metal housing 21. The support 19 carries a curved segment 22 over which a cable 23 is movable and to the lower end of which the cable is anchored, as at 24, The cable 23 extends into the joint connection 20 between the arms 16 and 17 and guides the arm 17, as more fully described in my Patent No. 2,648,146, so that the free end of the arm 17 will move in a horizontal plane as the arms pivot relative to each other and relative to the support.

The support 19 is mounted for bodily vertical movement and for this purpose its lower end is pivotally connected to a link 25 which is in turn pivoted to one of a pair of spaced frame plates 26 in the housing 21. The upper end of the support 19 is guided by a pair of arcuately curved links 27 and 28 which are pivoted at one end through the pivot 18 to the support 19 and at their opposite ends are pivoted on the supporting plates 26 on a pivot pin 31. In this way, the support 19 is mounted for limited vertical movement and when it is in its upper position, as shown in Figure 3, it will support the iron 10 at a level spaced above an ironing surface 32, such as a conventional ironing board. The support is normally urged to its upper position by a lifting spring 33 connected at its lower end to the arm 25 through a pin 25a and at its upper end to a pin 34 carried by one of the supporting plates 26. When the support is in its lower position, as shown in Figure 4, the iron will move downward with the entire linkage to the full line position shown in Figure 1 in which it rests on material on the ironing surface to iron it. D

In order to retain the linkage in its lower position against the spring 33 so that the full weight of the iron and part or all of the weight of the linkage, as desired,

will act on the material ironed, latch means are provided. As best seen in Figures 3 to 5, the link 27 is formed at its lower end adjacent to the pivotal axis 31 with a cam surface 35 adapted to be engaged by a roller36 carried by a pivoted bent latch arm 37.. The cam surface is preferably formed with an extension 38 engaged the roller 36 when the support is in its elevated position, as

seen in Figure 3, for a purpose to appear more fully hereinafter. The arm 37 is urged clockwise, asseen-m Figures 3 to 5, to move the follower roller 36 mto'em gagement with the cam surfaces by aspring 39 connected surface will fully overcome the lifting spring 33 force thereby to increase the'downward pressure on the iron or will be slightly less than the lifting force of the spring 33, as desired.

In order to move the lever 37 away from the cam surface thereby to release thelatching means, power means are provided controlled by the switch 14 on the iron. As shown, this power means comprises an electric solenoid 41 supported within the housing 21 and connected to the lever 37 to turn it counter-clockwise against the spring 39. As shown, the solenoid comprises a body supporting a winding and preferably mounted on a resilient rubber pad 42 to absorb any shocks and noise. A plunger 43 is moved into the body when the Winding is energized so designed that the effect of the follower on the earn 7 and is connected through a link '44 to a point on the lever 37 intermediate its ends. When the solenoid is energized, it will pull the lever 37 downward, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, away from the cam surface 35 and when it is deenergized it will allow the lever to move upward to its latching position, as shown in Figure 4.

The solenoid is connected in circuit with the switch 14 and'with a second switch 45 mounted. in the housing 21' and having an operating button 46. The switch 45 is normally closed and. is opened when the button 46 is depressed. For this purpose, the button is adapted to be engaged by one arm 47 of a yoke which is pivoted in the housing at 48 and which includes a second arm 49 extending to a point adjacent to the pivotal mounting of the link 25.

In order that the solenoid need not be energized during all of the time that the iron is elevated, with consequent loss of power and humming, a second latch means is provided to hold the lever 37 in its lowered position. This latch means, as shown, comprises a pin 51 carried by the lever 37 and a latch arm 52 pivoted in the housing at 53 and formed near its lower end with a shoulder 54 engageable with the pin 51. The latch arm 52 is urged clockwise away from the pin 51 by a relatively light spring 55 and will normally occupy the position shown in Figure 3 in which it will not engage the pin 51.

In order to move the latch arm to its engaging position, an arm 56 is pivoted on the pivot pin'31 and is engageable adjacent its free end with a turned-over lug 57, as best seen in Figure 2, formed on the end of an angular extension 58 on the latch arm. The arm 56 is engaged at one end by a spring 59 which is wound around the pivot pin 31 and'whose opposite end is engageable by a pin 61 carried by the link 27 near the pivotal axis 31 thereof; When the support 19 is raised, the pin 61 will move clockwise about the axis 31 away from the end of the spring 59 to relieve tension on the spring. --At this time, the latch arm 52 will be swung to the position shown in Figure 3 in response to the spring 55.. When the support 19 is lowered to the position shown in Fi ure 4, the pin 61 will engage the end of the spring 59 and will tension the spring to the point where 'it is more powerful than the spring so that it tends to turn the arm 56 counter-clockwise.

The switch 45 is initially controlled in response to engagement of the second latchand for this purpose the upper end of the arm 47 projects into the path of movement of the end of the angular extension 58 on the latch arm. When the latch arm is in the latch releasing position shown in Figure 3 .or in the position shown in Figure 4 wherein the pin 51 engages the latch arm above the shoulder 54, the end of theextension will be out of engagement with the arm 47 so that the switch 45 will not be opened by the latch arm 52.- However, in the latched position, as shown in Figure 5, in which the lower end of the latch arm is moved to the right andthe pin 51 is in engagement with the shoulder'54, the end of the extension 58 will engage the arm 47 and move it'to the right far enough to open the switch 45.- a

In order to retain the switch 45 open as long as the support 19 is in its raised position and regardless of the position of the latch arm 52, a cam 62 is secured to the lower supporting link 25 adjacent to its pivotal mounting and is engageable with the arm 49 of the switch operating yoke. When the support 19'is raised, the'cam will move the arm 49 to the right which will in turn move the arm 47 to the right to open the switch 45 and to hold it open as long as the support remains in its raised position. When the support is lowered, as shown in Figure 4, the cam 62 will release the arm 49 and allow it and the arm 47 to swing to the left sufficiently to'permit the switch 45 to close. V

In operation, when the iron is 'released the support will be raised by the spring 33 to raise the'linkage and the'iron to the position shown in dotted lines inFigure 1 in which the iron. is supported above the ironingfsurface 32. Due to the construction of the linkage, the iron will remain in-the same horizontal plane as it is moved over the ironing surface to be out of contact with the ironing surface or with the material thereon. When :the iron is to be used, the operator will grasp the iron handle, thereby moving the lever 15 down and opening the switch 14. By exerting downward pressure onthe iron, the force of thespring 33 will be overcome and the iron will be moved down tothe position shownin 'full'lines in Figure l in engagement with material on the'ironing surface.

During the downward movement, the follower 'roller 36 will ride over the cam surface 38 and onto the cam surface 35. As soon as this roller engages the'rcam surface 35, it will urge the link 27 counter-clockwise with a force determined by the cam angle and the strengthof the spring 39 and will urge the support 19 downward against the spring 33. The cam is preferably so designed that the downward force exerted through the cam "and follower will be substantially the same in all vertical positions of the support so that the iron will have the same effective weight on material beingironed, regardless of the thickness of the material. As long as the lever 15 is depressed by the operators hand, the latch means defined by the cam and follower will remain effective and the iron may be moved freely over the ironing surface in a normal ironing operation.

As the support moves down from the position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 4, the cam 62 willmove away from the arm 49 allowing the arm 47 to move to the left so that the switch 45 will close. .However, since the switch 14 is open at this time, the solenoid will not be energized. At the same time, the pin 61 will move into engagement with the spring 59 and tension it so that it tends to swing the latch arm 52 counterclockwise. Movement of the latch arm .at this time will be limited by engagement of the pin 51 with the surface E of the latch arm above the shoulder 54, but the latch arm will be urged to the right toward its engaged position.

Upon completion of an ironing operation when the operators hand is removed from the iron handlethe lever 15 will move upward and the switch 14 will close. At this time, both switches 45 and 14 are closed so that the solenoid 41 will be energized to move the latch lever 37 downward to the position shown in Figure 5. Normally the iron will rise as the lever 37 is moving downward so that the parts will never actually occupy the position shown in Figure which would represent the condition existing when the solenoid has been energized and before the iron and support have moved upward from their lowered positions. As soon as the latch lever 37 is moved fully downward to the position shown in Figure 5, the latch arm 52 will be swung to the right by the spring 59 which is stronger than the spring 55 and the pin 51 will engage the shoulder 54 to latch the lever 37 in its lowered position. As the latch arm 52 swings to the right, the tip of the extension 58 thereon will engage the arm 47 and swing it to the right to open the switch 46 and de-energize the solenoid. Preferably the solenoid will be de-energized just before the solenoid plunger hits bottom so that the plunger will not be drawn fully to the bottom of the coil and the impact thereof which would occur when it strikes bottom is eliminated. Also, since the plunger does not completely bottom the solenoid will not hum and the entire operation will be performed quietly and efliciently.

As soon as the follower 36 moves away from the cam surface 35, the spring 33 will start to raise the support 19. As the support is raised the pin 61 will move away from the spring 59 releasing the tension on this spring so that the spring 55 tends to move the latch arm 52 away from the pin 5-1 and release the second latch. Normally the friction of pin 51 against the surface 54 will prevent the latch arm 52 from being moved, but as the support continues to rise the follower roller 36 will move over the cam surface 38 which is so designed as to swing the latch lever 37 downward to move the pin 51 away from the shoulder 54 as the support 19 nears its uppermost position. As soon as the pressure between shoulder 54 and pin 51 is relieved, the spring 55 will swing the latch arm to the left to the position shown in Figure 3. The parts are at this time in their original starting position ready for a subsequent ironin operation.

It will be seen that the links 16 and 17 allow the iron to be moved toward and away from the support 19 and to provide complete freedom of movement of the iron, the housing 21 is preferably carried by a vertical pivot pin 65 which is rotatably received in a socket 66. The socket 66 may be mounted on a wall, as shown in Figure 1, or could, if desired, be provided on the ironing board itself. Between this pivotal mounting and the action of the arms 16 and 17, the iron may be moved freely in a horizontal plane to any position within the limits of the size of the linkage.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be understood that it is illustrative only and not to be taken as a definition of the scope of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support urging'the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, a latch member engageable with the support to hold the support in a lowered position, power means to move the latch member out of latching engagement with the support, a control device on the iron, and means controlled by the control device to energize the power means. i

2. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end-of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support. urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means operative to hold the support in a lowered position, a solenoid operatively connected to the latch means to release it, and a control circuit for the solenoid including a switch on the iron.

3. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support-for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the sec-- ond arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a part movable with the support and a latch member engageable therewith and operative to hold the support in loweredposition, a spring connected to the latch member urging the latch member into engagement with said part, means to move the latch member away from said part, and a second latch means engageable when the latch member is moved away from the part to hold the latch member in disengaged position.

4. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring-connected to the support urgingthe support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a part movable with the support and a latch member engageable therewith and operative to hold the support in lowered position, a spring connected to the latch member urging the latch member-into engagement with said part, means to move the latch member away from said part, a latch element on the latch member, a latch bar movable into engagement with the latch element when the latch member is moved away from the part to hold the latch member away from the part, and means operated by the support as it is raised torelease the latch element from the latch bar.

5. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a part movable with the support and a latch member engageable therewith and operative to hold the support in lowered position, a spring connected to the latch member urging the latch member into engagement with said part, a solenoid connected to the latch member to move it away from the part, a controlv circuit for the solenoid including a switch on :the

iron and a second switch adjacent to the support, second latch'mem-ber in disengaged position, and means moved the second switch'to dc-energize the solenoid." j V "6; Iron supporting'linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connectedto'the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second' arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above'an ironing surface, latch means including a part movable with the support and a latchmember engageable therewith and operative to hold the support in lowered position, a spring connected to by the second latch means whenit is engaged to operate ment' with said part, a solenoid connected to the latch urge the support downward, a control device on the iron, and means controlled by the control devicetomove the follower away from-the cam surface. 7 i

10.;Iron supporting linjkage comprising a support, a pair of generally horizontal parallel links pivoted to the t supportto guide it for vertical movemengan arm piv'otally member to move it away from'the part, a control circuit for the solenoid including a switch on the iron and a second switch adjacent to 'the support, second latch means eiigageable with the latch member Whenthe latch member is moved away from the part to hold the latch memher in disengaged position, means moved by the second men meanswhen it is engaged to operate the second 'swilchto tie-energize the solenoid, and means operated by the support when it moves to its raised position to release the'second latch means.

7. The iron supporting linkage of claim 6 including means operated by the support when it moves to its raised position to hold the'second switch operated to'maintain the solenoid de-energized. a I 8. Iron supporting linkage comprising-a 'support,'means mountingthe support for limited vertical movement, a first arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn'about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to-elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a part movable with the support and a 'hold the support in lowered position, a spring connected 'to thelatch member urging the latch member into engagement with said part, means to move the latch memher away from said part, a latch element on the latch member, a latch bar movable into engagement'with'the latchelem'ent when the latch member is moved away from the part to hold the latch member away from the part, a spring energized by the'support when it is moved downward to, urge the latch'bar into engagement with the 'latch' element, a second spring lighter than the last named spring engaging the latch bariand urging the latch bar away from the latch element, and means operated 'by the support when it moves upward to relieve the pressure between the latch member and latch bar whereby the latch bar can be moved by the second spring.

'9. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, a pair of generally horizontal parallel links pivoted to the sup port to guide it for vertical movement, an arm pivotally. mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected h .45 latch member engageablefltherewith and-operative to to the free end of the first named arm, means connecting V "ativelyfconnected tothe support urging the support upward to 'elvate'the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a cam surface on one of the links and a'rnovable follower engageable with the'cam surface, a spring urging the'follower toward the cam surface'to mounted on the support, a second --arm' pivotally connected to the freeend ofthe first named arm,- means connecting the arms to maintain'the free end 0f the second arm in a horizontal plane as the armsturn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical -movement relative thereto, a 'spring'operativelyconnected to the support urging the support upward to eleva'tethe iron above an ironing surface, latch'means including a cam surface on one of the links and a movable follower engageable with the cam surface, a spring urging the follower toward the cam movement of one of said links to release the second latch means.

, 11. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, a pair of generally horizontal parallellinks pivoted to the support to guide it for vertical'movemenuan arm pivotally mounted on the support, a' second arm pivotally connected to the free end'of the first named arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the ,free'end of the second arm in 'a horizontal planeas the arms turn about their pivots, 'an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against verticalmovernent relative thereto, a spring operatively connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above, an ironing surface, latch means including a cam surface on one of the links and a movable follower engageable with the camsurface, a spring urging the follower toward'the' cam surface to urge the support downward, a solenoid connected to the follower to move'it away from the cam surface, a control circuit for the solenoid including a'switch on the iron anda second switch adjacent to the support, and means operated by upward movement of the support to hold thesecond'switch open thereby'to' desenergize the solenoid.

12. Iron supporting" linkage comprising "a support,'a pair of generally horizontal parallel links'pivotedto the support to guide it for vertical movement, an arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second. arm pivotally connected to the free end of the firstnamed arm, means connecting the armsto maintain the'free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the 'freeiend of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring operatively connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a cam surface on'one of the links and a movable follower engageable with the cam surface, a spring urging the "follower towardthe cam surface to urge the support downward, a solenoid con- .nected to the follower to move it awayfrom the cam surface, a control circuit for the solenoid including aswitch on the iron and a second'switch adjacent-to-the support, a latchmember engageable with the follower when it is moved away from the cam surface tohold the follower in ineffective position, means operated by downward movement of the support to urge the latch member into engage'ment with the follower, andmeans operated by move- -ment of the latch member to engaged positionto open the second switchf 1 V i e lBuiron supporting linkage comprising a support, a

"pair of generallyhorizontal parallel links pivoted to the support to guide it 'for verticalrmovement', an arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first named arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring operatively connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a cam surface on one of the links and a movable follower engageable with the cam surface, a spring urging the follower toward the cam surface to urge the support downward, a solenoid connected to the follower to move it away from the cam surface, a control circuit for the solenoid including a switch on the iron and a second switch adjacent to the support, a latch member engageable with the follower when it is moved away from the cam surface to hold the follower in ineffective position, a spring energized by downward movement of the support to urge the latch member into engagement with the follower, means operated by movement of the latch member to engaged position to open the second switch, and means operative upon upward movement of the support to disengage the latch member from the follower and to hold the second switch open.

14. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, a pair of generally horizontal parallel links pivoted to the support to guide it for vertical movement, an arm pivotally mounted on the support, a second arm pivotally connected to the free end of the first named arm, means connecting the arms to maintain the free end of the second arm in a horizontal plane as the arms turn about their pivots, an iron supported from the free end of the second arm against vertical movement relative thereto, a spring operatively connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above an ironing surface, latch means including a cam surface on one of the links and a movable follower engageable with the cam surface, a spring urging the follower toward the cam surface to urge the support downward, a solenoid connected to the follower to move it away from the cam surface, a control circuit for the solenoid including a switch on the iron and a second switch adjacent to the support, a latch member engageable with the follower when it is moved away from the cam surface to hold the follower in ineffective position, a spring energized by downward movement of the support to urge the latch member into engagement with the follower, means operated by movement of the latch member to engaged position to open the second switch, a second spring weaker than the last named spring engaging the latch member urging the latch member away from the follower, an extension on said cam surface to move the follower away from the latch member as the support approaches the upper limit of its movement whereby the second spring can move the latch member away from the follower, and a cam member on one of said links to hold the second switch open when the support is in a raised position.

15. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, linkage connected to the support having a free end movable in a horizontal plane relative to the support,

an iron supported from the free end of the linkage to be moved vertically toward and away fi'om an ironing board as the support is moved vertically, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above the ironing board, latch means including a latch member movable with the support and a second latch member engageable therewith, one of the latch members having two adjoining cam surfaces and the other being a cam follower engageable with said surfaces, spring means urging the follower and cam surfaces relatively together, one of said surfaces being engaged by the follower when the support is raised and being shaped to provide substantially no vertical force on the support, the other of said surfaces being engaged by the follower when the support is lowered and being shaped to provide a downward force on the support holding it in its lowered position, and means to move the follower and said other of the cam surfaces relatively apart to release the latch means whereby the spring can urge the support to its raised position.

16. The iron supporting linkage of claim 15 in which the last named means includes electric motor means and a control circuit therefor including a first switch operated by movement of the support and a second switch on the iron for manual operation.

17. Iron supporting linkage comprising a support, means mounting the support for limited vertical movement, linkage connected to the support having a free end movable in a horizontal plane relative to the support, an iron supported from the free end of the linkage to be moved vertically toward and away from an ironing board as the support is moved vertically, a spring connected to the support urging the support upward to elevate the iron above the ironing board, latch means including a latch member movable with the support and a second latch member engageable therewith, one of the latch members comprising a cam follower mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, the other latch member being mounted for pivotal movement about a. fixed axis spaced from the first named fixed axis and having a first cam surface engaged by the follower when the support is in raised position and which is arcuately concentric relative to said last named fixed axis and a second cam surface engaged by the follower when the support is lowered and which is eccentric relative to said last named axis to produce a downward force on the support, spring means urging the follower and cam surfaces relatively together, electric motor means to move the follower and cam surfaces relatively apart, and a control circuit for the motor means including a switch operated by movement of the support and a manually operable switch on the iron.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,985,891 Foster Jan. 1, 1935 2,027,274 Foster Jan. 7, 1936 2,209,194 Deutsch July 23, 1940 2,231,895 Foster Feb. 18, 1941 2,648,146 Foster Aug. 11, 1953 2,680,311 Foster June 8, 1954 

